Small Claims is an informal court where individuals can sue for money damages only up to $3,000 maximum in the Town and Village Court. Claims over $3000 but not exceeding $5,000 can be direct to a City Court. The person or business MUST reside or have an office for business in the Town of Cheektowaga.

To start a small claim, come to the Court and complete a small claims application in which you will need the name and address of the party to be sued. A filing fee of $10 is required for claims up to $1,000 or $15 for claims up to $3,000. A future court date will be scheduled. THE COURT CLERKS ARE NOT PERMITTED BY LAW TO GIVE LEGAL ADVICE

In a Justice Court; you should have an attorney prepare the necessary eviction paperwork. Contact the court for further information if you see it necessary to prepare the necessary documents yourself.

The NYS Courts Access to Justice Program is pleased to announce a new publication;

"Tenant Questions and Answers: Holdover Eviction Cases in New York State." This guide is available on CourtHelp (http://www.nycourts.gov/courthelp/qa_civillaw.html) and is specifically written for tenants in District, City, Town and Village Court holdover summary proceedings. This guide is a companion to the "Tenant Questions & Answers Nonpayment Eviction cases in New York State, published in December.

Pro Se Small Property Owners - DIY Form; New Program walks pro se small property owners through a series of questions then prepares either a "10-day notice to quit" or a "notice of Petition" and Petition and accompanying court papers, along with instructions telling the litigant how to proceed with a licensee or squatter holdover proceeding in the Town Court. Both DIY Form programs are available on CourtHelp at: http://www.nycourts.gov/courthelp/diy/districtCityTownVillagecourts.html

The NYS Courts Access to Justice Program has also added a new Spanish Language feature to the Tenant Vacate Default Judgment DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Form Program (http://www.nycourts.gov/courthelp/diy/tenantVacateDefault.html) for Spanish speaking unrepresented litigants. Every screen of the program has an "Espanol" link which opens a pop-up window with a Spanish translation of the text. This feature will help unrepresented litigants whose primary language is Spanish but have a limited English proficiency.